Integrated Collimator for Digital X-ray Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital X-ray scanning methods for dental cephalography require complex collimator systems and variable X-ray absorption across different tissues, leading to inaccurate image quality and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The method integrates the secondary collimator with the rotary support, maintaining constant aperture and eliminating the need for separate motor drives, while using an optical sensor to modulate X-ray beam parameters based on patient profiles for optimized image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a dual collimator system is used with independent motion for accurate collimation, then collimation precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate motor drives and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the secondary collimator with the rotary support structure, making it an integral part of the rotating assembly rather than a separate component. This eliminates the need for independent motor drives and synchronization mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining collimation accuracy through the unified mechanical structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the secondary collimator is linearly translated independently, then collimation accuracy is improved, but the effective aperture varies during scanning resulting in image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the secondary collimator into the rotary support, both components undergo identical rotational movement, maintaining constant relative positioning. This ensures the effective aperture remains stable throughout the scanning process, producing consistent image quality across all angular positions without the variations that occur with independent linear translation.
3Device complexity
If X-ray beam parameters are kept constant during scanning, then system simplicity is improved, but image quality becomes inappropriate for different tissue types due to varying absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of X-ray beam parameters during the scanning process. The system automatically modulates beam intensity based on the detected patient profile and tissue type, transitioning from static to dynamic operation to optimize image quality for different anatomical regions while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
4Reliability
If manual adjustment of X-ray settings is used for different tissues, then image quality can be optimized, but operator workload increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an optical sensor to automatically detect the patient profile and trigger appropriate X-ray beam parameter adjustments without requiring manual intervention. The apparatus serves itself by autonomously optimizing imaging parameters based on real-time detection, reducing operator workload while maintaining high image quality standards through automated tissue-type recognition and parameter modulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the scanning geometry, maintains consistent image quality across varying angles, and reduces operator workload by automatically adjusting X-ray settings for soft and hard tissues, resulting in improved radiographic images.
Implementation Method 1
generating X-ray radiation by the radiation source
Implementation Method 2
the body parts of the patient vary considerably regarding the absorption of the X-ray radiation during the scanning process
Implementation Method 3
using an optical sensor to modulate X-ray beam parameters based on patient profiles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A simplified X-ray scanning apparatus (1) is equipped with a rotating arm (3) where the source (4), a primary collimator (5) and a secondary collimator (6) are mounted, thus generating a fan shaped X-ray beam (2), and a linear shaped X-ray detector (15) capable of translating linearly in the horizontal direction. The rotating arm (3) is driven by a multi-axis cinematic unit (11) capable of performing simultaneous rotation and translation of the mechanical center in the horizontal plane, so achieving programmability of the cinematic projection from a virtual center located at predefined distance from the detector (15). The secondary collimator (6) placed on the rotating arm provides a simplified and economic construction of particular advantage in tele-radiographic techniques such as dental cephalography.